2014 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch This Weekend in College Football

We’ll be doing this every week throughout the season. Miss last weekend? Kyle Fuller of Virginia Tech was the biggest winner we highlighted.

Florida at Miami, Saturday, 12 pm, ESPN

Miami:

Stephen Morris, QB, Senior: Todd McShay loves him, despite the fact that Morris completed just 58 percent of his passes last year in the lowly ACC. Is he one of the better senior QBs? Sure. Of course, the bulk of the best passers are underclassmen. A sturdy 6-foot-2, Morris wasn’t a highly-touted recruit – Miami beat out Central Connecticut and Florida International for his services – but it’ll be curious to see how his does this year against a guy like Aaron Murray of Georgia. Morris looks good on paper – size, arm strength, monster stats aside from the completion percentage – I’m just not buying him as a 1st round pick yet. Consistency will get him there.

Seantrel Henderson, OL, Senior: Highly-acclaimed recruit hasn’t had the brilliant career everyone thought he would. A mammoth 6-7, 340 pounds, he’s been passed by the likes of Taylor Lewan of Michigan (see below) and Jake Matthews of Texas A&M (see next week). He’s in the second tier of OL, making him a 2nd-3rd round pick. Matchup to watch: Florida defensive line menace Dominique Easley trying to get around Henderson.

Florida:

Louchiez Purifoy, CB, Junior: Sick athlete was suspended for opener. Good enough to push Bradley Roby of Ohio State for best corner in the country. It’ll be interesting to see Morris throws in the direction of Purifoy, who has the speed to jam Hurns/Dorsett and the ability to recover and avoid getting beat deep. I’d say Purifoy is a late first rounder right now, but he’ll have a few opportunities to look good against future NFL QBs (Mettenberger, Murray, Winston).

Dominique Easley, DE, Senior: He’s a 6-2, 285 pound demon who is a mid-round pick now, but likely to rise over the next few months the way Shariff Floyd did last year. Also, Easley didn’t know who Bear Bryant was, and last weekend, said “Kirk Herbstreit probably never played football.” Just thought that should be noted. Now, go watch tape of Easley from the bowl game against Louisville.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Junior: Given a week to read all the clips and listen to all the talking heads say he was lazy or took plays off, or played his way out of the Heisman race … good luck blocking him, Bulldogs. Clemson’s DL got to Murray four times last week, and was in his face much of the night. Good luck, Aaron.

Connor Shaw, QB, Senior: Falls into the category of ‘very nice college QB’ as opposed to ‘future NFL QB.’ Runs well, and if I had to guess, he’s a 7th round flier or is an undrafted free agent. Just when you think it’s easy for college QBs to make the pros – remember, Tyler Wilson from Arkansas was a better college QB than Shaw, and he was cut by the Raiders after going in the 4th round.

Notre Dame at Michigan, Saturday, 8 pm, ABC

Notre Dame

Louis Nix, DT, Junior: Probably the best interior lineman in the country. He’ll be a 1st round pick next year; he’s probably a Top 10 pick. He’s 6-2, 325, but moves with the swiftness of a linebacker. Was quiet against Michigan last year – only forced a fumble.

Stephon Tuitt, DE, Junior: Can you imagine if the defense had Aaron Lynch on the other side? Tuitt is, like Nix, a 1st round pick. He’s a 6-5, 300 beast who had 13 tackles for loss last year and 12 sacks. Clowney gets all the hype, but Tuitt is very, very good.

Michigan

Taylor Lewan, OT, Senior: First round lock, and probably a top 10 pick. Would have gone in the Top 10 if he came out last year. Controlled Clowney in the bowl game, and is impossible to get around without mace and/or a flashbang. At 6-7, 315, he’s going to make a QB very happy next year. Keep an eye on Lewan vs. Nix or Tuitt.